Removable shelf liner

ABSTRACT

A removable shelf liner includes a solid base wall, a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the base wall, and a handle portion. The shelf liner has a height, length and width that permits its use on a shelf of a refrigerator.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/952,211, filed on Mar. 13, 2014, currently pending.

FIELD

The present invention concerns a removable shelf or tray liner. In particular, the invention relates to a shelf or tray liner that is particularly designed for use on a refrigerator shelf.

BACKGROUND

Refrigerator cavities typically have deep shelves and it is difficult for a user to see what is on a shelf towards the rear of the refrigerator cavity without moving articles that are positioned on the front part of the shelf. This is particularly true for lower shelves in the refrigerator. Although some newer refrigerators have sliding shelves that can move inwardly and outwardly, many refrigerators have fixed shelves. With fixed shelves, it is often necessary to remove or shuffle around all the articles positioned in the front part of the shelf to see what is at the back of the shelf It is also often necessary to move articles in the front part of the shelf in order to remove articles positioned at the back of the shelf, even if the user can see what is sitting at the back of the shelf.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example removable shelf liner according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the shelf liner of FIG. 1:

FIG. 3 is a front view of the shelf liner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 if a rear view of the shelf liner of FIG. 1:

FIG. 5 is a top view of the shelf liner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the shelf liner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative example removable shelf liner according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the shelf liner of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the shelf liner of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a right side view of the shelf liner of FIG. 7, with the left side view being a mirror image of the right side view;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the shelf liner of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the shelf liner of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 13 is a plan view of an open refrigerator having the example shelf liner's positioned on different shelves of the refrigerator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The example removable shelf liner 10 is designed for use in refrigerators in order to hold items on the refrigerator shelf 2, but to permit ease of removal of items. The shelf liner 10 also provides a function of catching any spills or dirt, and also provides a means for ease in moving items around inside the refrigerator 4, among other functions and benefits. The example shelf liner 10 is designed to accommodate most refrigerator shelf 2 dimensions. The shelf liner 10 is shallow in order to fit between most refrigerator shelves 2. In addition, the shelf liner 10 may be longer than an average basket and, as such, permits the user to position items on the shelf liner 10 so the items are positioned in the rear of the refrigerator 4 when the shelf liner 10 is seated on the refrigerator shelf 2. The shelf liner 10 allows a user to grasp the shelf liner 10 and to pull it out of the refrigerator 4 at least in part in order to reach items positioned in the rear of the refrigerator cavity 6. The shelf liner 10 also allows a user to organize similar items 8 together (e.g., condiments). This makes it easier for a user to find things in a crowded refrigerator.

The shelf liner 10 is rigid enough to support the weight of items positioned on the liner 10 when the liner 10 is partially removed from the refrigerator 4, but still partly sitting on the refrigerator shelf 2. In addition, the shelf liner 10 of one embodiment is strong enough to permit a user to completely remove the shelf liner 10 from the refrigerator shelf 2 using the attached handle(s) 18 and place it somewhere else, like on a kitchen counter or on another refrigerator shelf 2. Alternatively, the shelf liner 10 of another embodiment is strong enough to permit a user to completely remove the shelf liner 10 from the refrigerator shelf 2 using the attached handle and to place it somewhere else by supporting both the bottom, or base wall 12, of the liner 10 and the handle with the user's hands.

The example shelf liner 10 provides a liner 10 for the underlying refrigerator shelf 2, which helps to prevent food grime and spills from reaching the refrigerator shelf 2. Instead, the shelf liner 10 helps to capture any such debris, making it easier to keep the refrigerator 4 clean. The shelf liners 10 are easily washable in the event of a spill.

The shelf liner 10 includes a base wall 12 that is surrounded by side walls 14. In the example shown, four side walls 14 are coupled to a substantially rectangular base wall 12. The base wall 12 of the shelf liner 10 is solid. In addition, a lower part of the side walls 14 is solid. This part of the side walls 14 extends upwardly so that if a liquid item were to spill inside the shelf liner 10, the liquid would be maintained inside the shelf liner 10. The example shelf liner 10 shown has a pattern of holes 16 provided on the side walls 14 of the shelf liner 10. Rectangular holes are shown, but any type of pattern may be utilized in any number of different shapes, if desired. Alternatively, the side walls could be of solid construction. Since the shelf liner 10 is easily removable from the refrigerator shelf 2, it can easily be washed in a sink. In contrast, refrigerator shelves 2 are often not easily removed for cleaning purposes. Thus, the shelf liner 10 helps to maintain the refrigerator in an overall cleaner state.

The example shelf liner 10 also provides a means for aiding in organizing a refrigerator. For example, each shelf liner 10 can be designated for a particular type or size of food. That way, the organization of the refrigerator can be made more efficient. For example, condiments could be positioned on one liner and meat and cheese products could be positioned on another liner. Then a user only needs to pull out one of the liners 10 in order to find the product they are searching for, instead of having to pull out all liners 10.

Referring to the FIGS. 1-12, the shelf liner 10 is similar to a shallow basket in that it has a solid base wall 12 for catching food debris and spills. The base wall 12 is substantially rectangular, with two long sides and shorter ends. The base wall 12 is coupled on the sides to four upstanding side walls 14 that may be substantially perpendicular to the base wall 12 of the shelf liner 10. The side walls 14 may alternatively be slightly angled relative to the base wall 12. 14. The combination of the base wall 12 and surrounding side walls 14 provides a recess for storing articles, such as food articles, in the shelf liner 10. Two handles 18 are shown coupled to the front wall 20 of the shelf liner 10 in FIGS. 1-6 and one handle 18 is shown being coupled to the front wall 20 in FIGS. 7-12. The handles 18 are coupled to the front wall 20 in the vicinity of the top 22 of the front wall 20 in order to permit for leverage, which allows for more weight to be handled by the shelf liner 10, although the handle 18 could be positioned at other locations. The side walls 14 of the liner 10 may have apertures 16, such as the rectangular holes shown in the figures. Alternatively, the side walls 14 could be solid.

The handle 18 is depicted as having a first portion 24 that extends from and is substantially planar with a top edge of the four walls 14, and a second portion 26 that extends downwardly at an angle relative to the adjacent side wall 14. The first portion 24 aligns with the top edge of the adjacent side wall. The first portion 24 could be positioned at other heights relative to the top edge of the adjacent side wall.

The second portion 26 could be perpendicular to the side wall 14, or positioned at a different angle, if desired. For example, the second portion 26 could be at an angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the first portion so that the second portion 26 angles outwardly relative to the adjacent side wall 14. The first portion 24 of the handle 18 could be longer or shorter and could be lower or higher than the top surface 22 of the side walls 14. Two handles 18 are shown, but one or more handles 18 could be used, if desired. The example shown in FIGS. 1-7 depicts two spaced handles, while the example shown in FIGS. 8-12 depicts a single handle. The single handle is shown to be substantially centered on the front wall 20 of the liner 10. The example shown in FIGS. 1-7 has handles that are about ⅓ the length of the front wall 20 from the adjacent side walls 14. In another embodiment (not shown), three handles 18 or more could be provided and positioned on one side wall. Handles 18 could be positioned on multiple sides, if desired.

Differently proportioned handles could also be used. For example, instead of having a first portion 24 and a second portion 26, the handle 18 could be a curved handle that extends from the front end of the liner 10 (not shown), so that part of the handle is substantially parallel to the adjacent front end wall, for example. Alternatively, the handle could extend substantially perpendicular to the front end wall 20 of the liner 10 (not shown). Other shapes for the handles 18 are anticipated.

The base wall 12 of the shelf liner 10 may include a surface treatment 32. In the example shown, a plurality of ridges 32 extends from the base wall 12. These ridges 32 help to keep the bottom of the shelf liner 10 slightly raised relative to the refrigerator shelf 2. Other types of designs may be used. A surface treatment is not required on the bottom surface 28 of the base wall 12. For example, the embodiment of FIGS. 8-12 does not show a surface treatment. A surface treatment could also be applied to the inner surface (not shown) of the liner 10, if desired.

A lip 36 may be provided around a top edge of the shelf liner 10. The lip 36 provides a curved upper most surface so that items can be more easily positioned on and removed from the shelf liner 10. The lip 36 has a radius relative to the side walls 14. The front wall 20 of the liner 10 may include curved sections 38 of the wall 20 that are positioned directly adjacent the handles 18. The handles 18 may be positioned at different heights relative to the lip 36.

The example shelf liner 10, shown in FIGS. 1-7, has dimensions of 15 inches wide W by 15 inches long L by 2 inches high H. Other dimensions could be used. The example shelf liner 10, shown in FIGS. 8-12, is 8 inches wide W by 15 inches long L. For narrower baskets, one handle 18 may be sufficient. Another basket design has a width of 7 inches, a height of 2 inches, and a length of 15 inches. Other dimensions are possible. The shelf liner 10 may be made of any type of easily cleanable material, such as polypropylene, among other known materials. The material of the shelf liner 10 is preferably strong enough to hold a wide variety of products on the shelf liner 10. The shelf liner 10 may be made using an injection molding process, or any other known process.

Strengthening members 30 may be coupled to the outer corners of the shelf liner 10 to aid in stability and to strengthen the shelf liner 10. The strengthening members 30 may also or alternatively be provided to permit separation of the shelf liners 10 when they are stacked upon each other during shipping, or in a user's cabinet. A strengthening rib 34, or multiple strengthening ribs, may be provided on the handle 18. Other forms of strengthening members may be utilized, as known by those of skill in the art.

A removable shelf liner 10 includes a solid base wall 12, a plurality of side walls 14 extending upwardly from the base wall 14, and a handle portion 18. The shelf liner 10 has a height H, length L and width W that permits its use on a shelf of a refrigerator. The side walls 14 may extend upwardly from the base wall 12 at a substantially perpendicular angle relative to the base wall 12. The handle portion 18 may extend outwardly from one of the side walls 14. The handle portion 18 may include a plurality of handle portions 18. The handle portion 18 may include a first perpendicular portion 24 that is coupled to the side wall 14 and a second downwardly extending portion 26 that is coupled to the first portion 24.

The shelf liner 10 may be made of polypropylene. The base wall 12 may be about 15 inches wide by 15 inches long and the side walls 14 may have a height of about 2 inches. The material of the base and side walls 12, 14 is easily cleanable. A pattern of decorative openings 16 may be provided through the side walls 14. The shelf liner 10 may include strengthening portions 30 coupled to the corners of the side walls 14. The base wall 12 may include a surface treatment 32 applied to a bottom surface 28 thereof.

The term “substantially,” as used herein, is a term of estimation.

While various features of the claimed invention are presented above, it should be understood that the features may be used singly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, the claimed invention is not to be limited to only the specific embodiments depicted herein.

Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications may occur to those skilled in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. The embodiments described herein are exemplary of the claimed invention. The disclosure may enable those skilled in the art to make and use embodiments having alternative elements that likewise correspond to the elements of the invention recited in the claims. The intended scope of the invention may thus include other embodiments that do not differ or that insubstantially differ from the literal language of the claims. The scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A removable shelf liner comprising: a solid base wall; a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the base wall, with at least a bottom portion of the side walls being solid; and a handle portion coupled to at least one of the side walls, wherein the shelf liner has a height, length and width that permits its use on a shelf of a refrigerator, with the length being equal to or greater than the width and the height being smaller than both the width and the length.
 2. The shelf liner of claim 1, wherein the side walls extend upwardly from the base wall at a substantially perpendicular angle relative to the base wall.
 3. The shelf liner of claim 1, wherein the handle portion extends outwardly from one of the side walls.
 4. The shelf liner of claim 1, wherein the handle portion includes a plurality of handle portions.
 5. The shelf liner of claim 3, wherein the handle portion includes a first perpendicular portion that is coupled to the side wall and a second downwardly extending portion that is coupled to the first portion.
 6. The shelf liner of claim 1, wherein the shelf liner is made of polypropylene.
 7. The shelf liner of claim 1, wherein the base wall is about 15 inches wide by 15 inches long and the side walls have a height of about 2 inches; or wherein the base wall is about 8 inches wide by 15 inches long and the side walls have a height of about 2 inches.
 8. The shelf liner of claim 1, wherein the material of the base and side walls is easily cleanable.
 9. The shelf liner of claim 1, wherein a pattern of decorative openings is provided through the side walls.
 10. The shelf liner of claim 1, further comprising strengthening portions coupled to the corners of the side walls.
 11. The shelf liner of claim 1, further comprising a surface treatment applied to a bottom of the base wall in order to elevate the base wall about an underlying surface.
 12. The shelf liner of claim 1, wherein the base wall, side walls, and handle together are strong enough to permit the user to remove the shelf liner from a refrigerator shelf and transport it to a nearby surface without the contents of the shelf liner falling out of the liner.
 13. The shelf liner of claim 1, wherein the handle is shaped in order to provide leverage for a user to lift the shelf liner and remove it from a shelf of a refrigerator.
 14. The shelf liner of claim 1, wherein two of the side walls are on the long sides of the liner, one side wall forms a front wall of the liner, and one side wall forms a rear wall of the liner, with the handle portion being coupled to the front wall, and wherein the long side walls define a length of the liner, the front and end walls define a width of the liner, and the long side walls, front wall, and end wall all have substantially the same height, with the height being less than half the width.
 15. The shelf liner of claim 14, wherein the length is about double the width of the liner.
 16. The shelf liner of claim 14, wherein the height is about 2 inches.
 17. The shelf liner of claim 16, wherein the length is about 15 inches.
 18. The shelf liner of claim 17, wherein the width is about 7 inches, about 8 inches, or about 15 inches. 